Here in America we tend to think “big” is better, bigger is best, biggest is even better than best! The larger the crowd, the more important we think people are. We focus on the size of houses, cars and bank accounts; and we’re attracted to the flashy, to hype. The better the PR, the better we think it is. If  a person gets lots of press coverage they’re important and what they have to say is relevant. Mr. Trump is a master at that!

So I thought it was very telling when the Pope came to the U.S. last year and was driven, not in the usual big, black limo, but in a small Fiat! It was fun to listen to the news commentators talking about such an unusual sight. Here was a man the world reveres and whose fame is larger than most anyone’s, yet he was perfectly happy and content, humbly riding in a small automobile! I have a feeling that if he had had his way he would have preferred to get out and walk among the ordinary everyday people. He didn’t seem impressed with the trappings of his status or the “important” people who flocked to shake his hand. I love that he visited prisoners and the handicapped. He was genuinely touched by the simple people.

I confess that I can be “impressed.” I do a double-take when a long black limo drives by, or I see someone step out of their private jet. (I admit I do envy a private jet, but that’s not in my future anytime soon!) We’re infected with celebrity, even in churches. Often a church is known not by its denominational affiliation or missions giving or doctrinal position but by the pastor’s name and status. We tend to mention how many books the pastor has published, how many members on the rolls, how many Sunday services they have or the size of the ministerial staff…

I don’t have anything against success — far from it. I think it is great; but it’s not the way God counts success in His kingdom. If we read the Scriptures it doesn’t take long to realize God does things hind-part before! Backwards. Upside down. To live you must die. To gain you have to lose. You have to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, give your coat and your shirt. Not what a PR firm would recommend for a successful business model!

Let me be the first to say, I think it is terrific when God grows a ministry, a business or a bank account by numbers. But it is not the only measure.

Success isn’t related to size. It’s related to faithfulness, humility and obedience. Ouch! People often tell me how God is going to honor my father, Billy Graham, for the many who came to Christ through his preaching. I am sure God will on some level. But I always point out that God won’t honor the numbers but rather, my father’s faithfulness and obedience — just as He will honor the faithful school teacher, the faithful cab driver, dishwasher, small church pastor or Sunday school teacher: those who serve Him faithfully and obediently in obscurity.

Are you feeling obscure, unimportant? God sees your labor on His behalf. God is pointing you out to a great crowd of witnesses  saying, “Look at that one. They are serving me faithfully. That’s one of my trophies!”

I’d rather have that. As the dear soloist, George Beverly Shea, sang so sweetly,

“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands.
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.  
I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause;
I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I’d rather have Jesus than world-wide fame.
I’d rather be true to His holy name.
Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin’s dread sway.
I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.”